Solid waste treatment system and method

Abstract

A waste treatment system for separating contaminants including per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from bulk solid waste ( 12 ). A preparation module ( 9 ) having a bulk material separator separates oversize material ( 14 ) from bulk solid waste ( 12 ). A physical separation module ( 13 ), located down-stream of the preparation module ( 9 ), separates the bulk solid waste ( 12 ) based on particle size using physical and/or hydrodynamic and/or density separation techniques. An extraction/chemical separation module ( 19 ), located downstream of the physical separation module ( 13 ), adds leachate and/or extractant to separate the contaminants from a slurry output from the physical separation module ( 13 ), into a fines output and a contaminated water solution. A water circulation system ( 21 ) supplies water to the physical separation module ( 13 ) and the extraction/chemical separation module ( 19 ), the water circulation system including at least one water treatment process, the treated water being recycled and recirculated within the waste treatment system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A waste removal system for removing per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from bulk solid waste, the system comprising:
 a preparation module having a bulk material separator to separate oversize material from the bulk solid waste; 
 a physical separation module, located down-stream of the preparation module, to separate the bulk solid waste based on particle size one or more separation techniques selected from physical, hydrodynamic, and density separation techniques; 
 an extraction module, located downstream of the physical separation module, to add leachate and/or extractant to separate contaminants including the PFAS from a slurry output from the physical separation module, into a fines output and a contaminated water solution including the contaminants; and 
 a water circulation system for supplying supply water to the preparation module, the physical separation module and the extraction module, the water circulation system including at least one water treatment system, the at least one water treatment system including a slurry dewaterer for producing dewatered fines cakes having a portion of the PFAS and a granulated activated carbon (GAC) filter for removing a remainder of the PFAS from dewaterer-expelled water, treated water from the at least one water treatment system being recycled and recirculated within the waste removal system as a portion of the supply water. 
 
     
     
       2. The waste removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the physical separation module is configured for heating the supply water, amending the supply water with one or more chemicals, or both. 
     
     
       3. The waste removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the extraction module is configured for heating the supply water, any chemicals used in the extraction module, or both. 
     
     
       4. The waste removal system of  claim 3 , wherein the extraction module is configured for using chemicals selected from surfactants, biosurfactants, solvents, and poly-valent cations. 
     
     
       5. The waste removal system of either of  claim 3 , wherein the system is configured to supply water to the extraction module which is pH modified. 
     
     
       6. The waste removal system of  claim 5 , wherein the pH is in a range of 8-9. 
     
     
       7. The waste removal system of  claim 1 , further comprising reverse osmosis technology for generating de-ionized water for use as the supply water.